EPCHS Alum In The Spotlight: Kayla Benson, Class Of 2019

EVERGREEN PARK, IL - A rising star in the field of environmental engineering is proud to trace her interest in the field back to her days as a student at Evergreen Park Community High School.

“I appreciated how EPCHS was accommodating to students like me who wanted to take as many AP Science courses offered,” said Kayla Benson, a 2019 EPCHS alum who currently works as an assistant environmental engineer for the Burns & McDonnell engineering consulting company.

Science has always been a passion for Benson. Experiencing the subject with EPCHS science teacher Kevin Knapik, and as a member of the Science Olympiad club, only enhanced that passion and helped her prepare for a career in the field.

“I remember brainstorming and designing an aquaponic system with Mr. Knapik which was an endeavor that brought together school concepts to the real world,” Benson said. “I felt very empowered going into a field that doesn't have a lot of representation of my identities, and I believe part of that came from the amazing science community at EPCHS.”

It wasn’t just science that caught Benson’s attention at EPCHS. She was among the most involved students during her time there, participating in band, choir, scholastic bowl, mathletes, chess, Snowball, student leadership and soccer, among other extracurricular activities.

“I remember being able to be involved in so many things I was passionate about that fed different parts of my soul,” Benson said. “I cultivated relationships with my peers and teachers alike.”

Among the highlights, she said, was going to New Orleans and Walt Disney World with the band, in addition to the scholastic bowl competitions, proms and Operation Snowball weekends. Her involvement in the pit orchestra was “an unforgettable experience” she frequently mentions to this day.

After EPCHS, Benson enrolled at the Colorado School of Mines on a full tuition scholarship called the Harvey Scholarship. There she studied environmental engineering, minored in public affairs, and stayed for an extra year to complete her master’s degree in natural resources and energy policy. While at Mines, she was involved in various leadership roles like president of her scholarship group, social and outreach chair for the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), lead peer educator, undergraduate research, and serving as a teaching assistant.

At Burns & McDonnell, Benson assists with projects regarding landfill construction, soil remediation, groundwater sampling, storm water pollution prevention, coal combustion residual clean up, and compost facility feasibility studies as a member of the Solid Waste and Remediation department.

“I am able to work with a majority female team (yay!) and switch between a variety of projects that keep work interesting,” she said.

In developing her current role, Benson said she “would love to develop my project management and leadership skills that would broaden my technical and interpersonal skills.”

Advice For Current EPCHS Students

“When I was in high school, I was obsessed with going to a name brand school and getting the highest grades possible. While that helped me get the scholarship that led me to Colorado, some of that pressure was unnecessary as I could’ve redirected that energy into something more enjoyable and fulfilling. Life is too short to get obsessed over grades. Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can both in and outside school. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and delegate tasks. Prioritize a good work life balance. You will be okay!”